white claw:Tested 10 Hard Seltzer Brands to Find the Best

white claw

We Sipped 10 Brands to Find the Best Hard Seltzer

We evaluated 10 hard seltzer brands—including the popular White Claw—to determine the best option for your cooler. When hosting a party, especially outdoors or by the pool, guests expect more than just decent beer; they also crave a refreshing hard seltzer that offers a lighter alternative—think sparkling water with a kick!

While White Claw dominates the spiked seltzer market, numerous other brands have emerged. To see how they stack up, we compared White Claw with nine other hard seltzers, focusing on citrus flavors (lemon, lime, and grapefruit) as these were commonly featured among the brands. Read on to discover which seltzers we loved and will be enjoying all summer long!

The Best Hard Seltzers According to Serious Sippers

Honorable Mention: White Claw

Score: 7.8
It’s no surprise that the leading name in spiked seltzers made an impression. White Claw delivered excellent fizz—perfect for fans of effervescence—and offered a subtle fruit flavor that resonates with sparkling water enthusiasts. We sampled the lime and grapefruit varieties, both of which tasted clean and natural. Overall, White Claw is a solid choice for those who appreciate sparkling water.

Runner-Up: Truly

Score: 8.5
Truly hard seltzer impressed our testers with its authentic fruit flavors. Each citrus option—lime, lemon, and grapefruit—tasted remarkably true to life. Many likened Truly to a vodka soda with a twist, making it ideal for those seeking the convenience of a can without sacrificing flavor. Although it was slightly less carbonated than White Claw, its fruitiness made it a favorite among those preferring a bit less fizz. With 14 flavors available, there’s a Truly for everyone.

Best in Show: High Noon

Score: 9.6/10
High Noon stood out with an almost perfect score. This grapefruit spiked seltzer offered an enticing aroma and a delightful burst of fruit flavor that faded into a clean seltzer finish. What set High Noon apart was its use of vodka instead of malt liquor, resulting in a refreshingly clean taste that accentuated the fruitiness. Testers were eager to know where to find this seltzer for themselves.

The Bottom Line

Our taste test revealed that the type of alcohol in hard seltzers matters significantly. High Noon’s vodka base provided a cleaner, more refreshing taste compared to malt-based options. Nonetheless, we highly recommend Truly and White Claw as they both deliver refreshing, authentic fruit flavors and are widely recognized—ideal for parties and potlucks where guests seek something familiar yet tasty.

Note: This taste test was conducted by our staff independently, without any sponsorship. All opinions expressed are our own and not influenced by advertisers.